Vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

This document discusses, among other things, a cleaning apparatus including a housing, at least one fan contained within the housing, a suction inlet in communication with a low pressure side of the fan and defining a suction flow path extending into the suction inlet, and a gas outlet proximate the suction inlet, the gas outlet defining a gas outlet flow path extending in or near the suction flow path. An example method includes blowing a gas from an apparatus toward a particulate matter and lifting the particulate matter off a surface, drawing the particulate matter into the apparatus, and collecting the particulate matter in the apparatus.

FIELD

This patent document pertains generally to vacuum cleaning systems, apparatus, and methods, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to vacuum cleaning methods, apparatus, and systems having contemporaneous blowing and suction capability.

BACKGROUND

A vacuum cleaner apparatus or system typically includes an electric motor-driven fan. The fan creates a lowered-pressured region (“vacuum”). Air is drawn into the lowered-pressure region of the apparatus and exhausted on a high-pressure side. Along with the air, materials such as particles are drawn into the device. Some vacuum cleaner devices have a brush at an inlet that facilitates the lifting of particles, hairs, or other objects off a surface and into the vacuum inlet. Most vacuum cleaner devices have a trap and/or a filter that captures materials in the device. For example, some devices use a filter bag to capture materials.

Improved vacuum cleaner devices are needed.

SUMMARY

A cleaning apparatus including a housing, at least one fan contained within the housing, a suction inlet in communication with a low pressure side of the fan and defining a suction flow path extending into the suction inlet, and a gas outlet proximate the suction inlet. The gas outlet defines a gas outlet flow path extending in or near the suction flow path. In an example, the apparatus includes a second fan, and the gas outlet is in communication with a high pressure side of the second fan. In an example, the apparatus includes a first electric drive motor coupled to the first fan, a second electric drive motor coupled to the second fan, and a speed control for the second motor, and an air velocity at the gas outlet is controllable by adjustment of the speed of the second motor.

In another example, a cleaning apparatus includes a particulate collector, a means for drawing particulate matter through a first opening in communication with the particulate collector, and a means for blowing a gas through a second opening proximate the first opening. Blowing the gas through the second opening lifts particulate matter into an airstream flowing into the first opening.

An example method includes blowing a gas from an apparatus toward a particulate matter and lifting the particulate matter off a surface, drawing the particulate matter into the apparatus contemporaneous with the blowing, and collecting the particulate matter in the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of an example vacuum device including a fan outlet near a section inlet.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of another example vacuum device including a fan outlet near a section inlet.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a vacuum device including a fan outlet near a suction inlet.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of a vacuum device including a fan outlet near a suction inlet.

FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of an example configuration of motors and fans for a vacuum device including a fan outlet near a suction inlet.

FIG. 4B is a schematic illustration of another example configuration in which a single fan is coupled to both a fan outlet and a suction inlet.

FIG. 4C is a schematic illustration of another example configuration having a blower outlet near a suction inlet and two fans connected to a single motor.

FIG. 5A is an end view of an example configuration of a suction inlet and a fan outlet.

FIG. 5B is a cross-section view of the suction inlet and fan outlet shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a cross-section view of an alternative arrangement of the suction inlet and fan outlet shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D is an end view of another example configuration of a suction inlet and a fan outlet.

FIG. 5E is an end view of another example configuration of a suction inlet and a fan outlet.

FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away illustration of a portion of a portion of a vacuum cleaner device including a fan outlet near a suction inlet.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an apparatus having contemporaneous blowing and sucking capability and a keyboard.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart that illustrates an example method.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an apparatus having a positionable outlet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example vacuum apparatus has contemporaneous blowing and suction capability. The apparatus has a suction outlet through which air and particulate or other material is drawn into the apparatus. The apparatus also has a blowing outlet near the suction inlet and the capability to blow air or other gas out the blowing outlet at the same time or shortly before drawing air through the suction inlet. In an example, the contemporaneous blowing and sucking lifts particles off a surface and into an inlet air stream. A device can be sized and shaped for cleaning a computer keyboard, for example.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show portions of example devices and schematically illustrate air flow into and out of an inlet and outlet. FIG. 2 shows an example vacuum cleaner device. FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of an example vacuum cleaner device. FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are schematic illustrations of example configurations of motors and fans for a vacuum device including a fan outlet near a suction inlet. FIGS. 5A, 5D and 5E are end views of example configurations of a suction inlet and a fan outlet. FIGS. 5B and 5C are cross-sectional views of the device shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away illustration of a portion of a vacuum cleaner device including a fan outlet near a suction inlet. FIG. 7 is a flow chart that illustrates an example method.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, a portion 115 of a cleaning apparatus 100 includes an outlet 10S and a suction inlet 110. The suction inlet 110 is in communication with a low pressure side of a fan. The suction 110 inlet defines a suction flow path 111 extending into the suction inlet. The outlet 105 is near the suction inlet 110. The outlet 105 defines a gas out-let flow path 106 extending in or near the suction flow path 111. Gas blows out of the outlet 105 contemporaneous with air being drawn into the suction inlet 110. For the purpose of description, the gas blown through the outlet 105 will be referred to as air, but it is understood that a gas such as carbon dioxide or a liquid/gas combination could be used instead of air. FIG. 1A shows particles 101 that are lifted off a surface 102 by air blowing out of the outlet 105. The particles are drawn into the suction inlet 110. In an example, the device simultaneously blows air from the outlet 105 and draws air into the suction inlet 110. In another example, the blowing and sucking occur sequentially. In an example, air is blown from the outlet 105 and then air is drawn into the suction inlet 110. In an example, gas is blown from the outlet 105 continuously. In another example, the gas flow out of the outlet 105 is pulsed or intermittent. In an example, the gas is selectively blown from the outlet 105 in response to an input from a user. In an example, a fan is used to create a high pressure chamber from which air is blown out through the outlet 105. In another example, a source of compressed air, such as a can or air, is configured in communication with the outlet 105.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, another example device 126 is shown. A suction tube 120 and blow tube 125 are shown partially cut away to reveal the inner surfaces 130, 135 of the suction tube and blow tube. In the example shown in FIG. 1B, an end portion 140 of the blow tube protrudes past the end 145 of the suction tube 120. Air blowing out of the blow tube outlet 150 lifts particles into an air stream flowing into the suction inlet 155 of the suction tube 120. FIG. 1B shows air swirling in front of a vertical surface 103. In an example, air is drawn into the suction inlet 155 using a fan and air is blown out of the outlet 150 using a fan or a compressed air source.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an example device 200 is shown. A housing 205 houses at least one fan. A hose 210 extends from the housing. An end portion 215 of the hose includes a suction inlet 216. The suction inlet 216 is in communication with a low pressure side of the fan contained in the housing. A gas outlet 217 is located near the suction inlet 216. In an example, the gas outlet 217 is integral with the hose. In another example, the device 200 includes a second hose that includes the gas outlet 217. The device 200 includes one or more controls 230, which are optionally located on or near an optional handle 220. In an example, the housing 205 includes air vents 225 that let air into or out of the housing.

FIG. 3 shows a cut-away illustration of an example device 300. In an example, the device 300 includes two fans 320, 325 contained in a housing 315 that includes two chambers 321, 326 and air vents 330, 335 in the chambers. Fan 320 creates a low pressure region in chamber 321 which draws air into the device from the suction inlet 305 and through tube 306. In an example, fan 325 creates a high pressure region in chamber 326 which drives air through tube 311 and out of outlet 310, which is situated near the suction inlet 305. In an example, the device 300 includes a first speed control 340, which controls the speed of fan 320, and a second speed control 345, which controls the speed of fan 325. Controlling the speed of the fan 320 allows for control of the pressure (vacuum) and suction air flow through suction inlet 305. Controlling the speed of fan 325 allows for control of the pressure and airflow through outlet 310. Different airspeeds and pressures are desirable for different circumstances. For example, excessive air speed may adversely affect the collection of light weight or low-density matter such as dust, while heavier or more dense matter may require more airflow to lift the matter from a surface and into the device. In other examples airflow and pressure are controlled by varying physical parameters such as the size or shape of the suction inlet 305 or outlet 310. In an alternative, the device includes only one fan that blows air from chamber 321 to chamber 326. The device typically includes some kind of filtering system, such as a filter bag 350.

In an example system, one or more motors and one or more fans are used to provide the suction or blower airflow for the device. FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are schematic illustrations of example configurations of motors and fans for a vacuum device including a fan outlet near a suction inlet. FIG. 4A shows blower system 401 including a blower fan 405 driven by motor 420 and in communication with a blower outlet, such as the outlet 105 shown in FIG. A. A suction system 402 includes fan 410 driven by motor 425. In an example, fan 410 draws air through a suction intake such as the suction inlet 110 shown in FIG. 1A, through the fan, and into a collector 415 such as a filter bag. In an alternative arrangement, the collector 415 is configured on the low pressure side of the fan. In an example, an exhaust side of the suction fan system 402 is coupled to an intake side of the blower fan system 401. FIG. 4B shows an alternate configuration where a fan 430 driven by motor 435 provides both the suction at a suction intake and a pressurized airflow at a blower outlet, such as the outlet 105 shown in FIG. 1A. A collector 440 such as a filter collects particulate matter. The configuration shown in FIG. 4B is balanced so that proper pressure and air flow is provided both at the suction intake and at the blower output. FIG. 4C shows another configuration in which a single motor 445 drives two fans 450, 455. Fan 450 draws air into a suction inlet. Fan 455 blows air out an outlet near the suction inlet. In an example, the exhaust outlet of fan 450 is coupled to the intake of fan 455.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are end views of example configurations of a suction inlet and a fan outlet. FIG. 5A shows a device 500 including a suction inlet 505 and an outlet 510 near the suction inlet. In an example, the device 500 is an end of a hose. In an example the suction inlet 505 is cylindrical and the outlet 510 is configured to blow approximately parallel to an axis 501 of the suction inlet, as shown in FIG. 5B. In another example, shown in FIG. 5C, the outlet 510 is angled away from the axis 501 of the suction inlet to direct air at a surface 502 next to the device.

As shown in FIG. 5D, in another example, a device 501 includes a suction inlet 506 and several outlets 511, 512, 513, 514. In an example, the outlets 511, 512, 513, 514 are spaced along a bottom portion of the device 501. In an example, the outlets 511, 512, 513, 514 are evenly spaced. The outlets provide four streams of air that are pointable toward a surface to lift particulate from the surface. In another example, shown in FIG. 5E, a device 502 includes a suction inlet 507 and an elongate outlet 521. In an example the elongate outlet provides a band of air that lifts particulate from a surface.

FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away illustration of a component 605 at a distal portion 600 of a vacuum cleaner device including a fan outlet 615 near a suction inlet 610. In an example, the component 605 is coupled to a hose 630. The component 605 is optionally removably coupled to the hose and replaceable by a different component having a different configuration of the outlet and suction inlet. For example, in the option where the component 605 is removable, a portion having a configuration similar to FIG. 5E is replaceable with a portion having a configuration similar to FIG. 5A or FIG. 5D. A portion 621 of a lumen 620 connected to the outlet 615 is connectable to a pressure supply, such as a fan or a can of compressed air. In an example, an interface is provided through techniques known to those skilled in the art to connect the lumen 620 to a lumen integrated into hose 630 or to a separate hose connected to a pressure supply. In another example, a container of compressed air is coupled to the lumen 620, for example using a tube extending from an aerosol-type can.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a device 705 contemporaneously blowing air toward a keyboard 710 and drawing in air and particulate matter raised from between keys 715, 720 on the keyboard.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart that illustrates an example method. At 805, a gas is blown from an apparatus toward a particulate matter. Blowing the gas lifts the particulate matter off a surface. At 810, the particulate matter is drawn into the apparatus. In an example, the particulate matter is drawn into a suction inlet and then through a hose. At 815, the particulate matter is collected in the apparatus. In an example, blowing a gas includes blowing air. In an example, blowing gas includes selectively adjusting a velocity of gas blowing through the second opening, for example by adjustment of a nozzle direction or cross-section, adjustment of a fan speed, adjustment of a restriction in a hose, or adjustment of a restriction in an inlet dimension. In an example, drawing the particulate matter into the apparatus includes drawing the particulate matter into a first opening in a hose, and blowing the gas at particulate matter includes blowing the gas through a second opening in the hose. In an example, the hose includes a component that includes the first and second openings.

FIG. 9 shows a portion of a device including a first tube 900 having a suction inlet 905 and a second tube 920 coupled to a positionable component 915 including an air outlet 910. In an example the component 915 is a nozzle that is rotatable around an axis 901 to adjust airflow and selectively positionable with respect to the tube 900, for example to direct air at a selectable angle at surface 902. In an example, the component 915 is coupled to tube 920 using a ball and socket joint having a hole in the ball to allow air passage into the component 915.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. 

1. A cleaning apparatus comprising: a housing; at least one fan contained within the housing; a suction inlet in communication with a low pressure side of the fan and defining a suction flow path extending into the suction inlet; and a gas outlet proximate the suction inlet, the gas outlet defining a gas outlet flow path extending in or near the suction flow path.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second fan, the gas outlet in communication with a high pressure side of the second fan.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a first electric drive motor coupled to the first fan, a second electric drive motor coupled to the second fan, and a speed control for the second motor, wherein an air velocity at the gas outlet is controllable by adjustment of the speed of the second motor.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas outlet is in communication with a high pressure side of the first fan, the first fan operable to simultaneously blow air through the gas outlet and draw air into the suction inlet.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first component couplable and decoupleable to the housing and including the suction inlet and the gas outlet, the first component replaceable by a second component couplable and decoupleable to the housing and having an alternate suction inlet and alternate gas outlet, at least one of the alternate suction inlet and the alternate gas outlet having a size and/or shape that is different from a respective size and/or shape of the respective suction inlet and gas outlet of the first component.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a hose coupled to the housing, the first component and second component couplable to the hose.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for adjusting a cross-section of the gas outlet, wherein a velocity of gas blowing through the gas outlet controllable through adjustment of the cross-section of the gas outlet.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional gas outlet defining a second gas outlet flow path extending in or near the suction flow path.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hose coupled to the housing, the hose including a first lumen in communication with the suction inlet and a second lumen in communication with the gas outlet.
 10. A cleaning apparatus operable to collect particulate matter, the apparatus comprising: a particulate collector; means for drawing particulate matter through a first opening in communication with the particulate collector; and means for blowing a gas through a second opening proximate the first opening, wherein blowing the gas through the second opening lifts particulate matter into an airstream flowing into the first opening.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the means for drawing particulate matter through a first opening includes a first fan, the first opening in communication with a low pressure side of the fan.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for blowing a gas through a second opening includes a second fan.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for changing the shape of the second opening.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for changing a direction of gas blown through the second opening.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for adjusting a velocity of gas blowing through the second opening.
 16. A method comprising: blowing a gas from an apparatus toward a particulate matter and lifting the particulate matter off a surface; drawing the particulate matter into the apparatus; and collecting the particulate matter in the apparatus.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein blowing a gas includes blowing air.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein blowing the gas toward particulate matter includes blowing the gas through a first opening in the apparatus, and drawing the particulate matter into the apparatus includes drawing the particulate matter into a second opening in the apparatus proximate the first opening.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein drawing the particulate matter into the apparatus includes drawing the particulate matter into a first opening in a hose, and blowing the gas at particulate matter includes blowing the gas through a second opening in the hose.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein blowing the gas includes blowing the gas below a vacuum inlet in the apparatus, wherein blowing the gas lifts the particulate into an airstream flowing into the vacuum inlet. 